EASY Homemade Gravlax Recipe

Ingredients

• 1.5 pounds Salmon Fillet (skin on, deboned, fresh)
• 0.5 cup Granulated Sugar (for cure, fine granules)
• 0.5 cup Kosher Salt (coarse kosher salt preferred for curing)
• 1 tablespoon Whole Black Peppercorns (lightly crushed)
• 0.5 tablespoon Fennel Seed (lightly crushed)
• 0.25 cup Gin (plain gin, adds flavor and antimicrobial effect)
• 1 tablespoon Fresh Dill (roughly chopped)
• 4 pieces Everything Bagels (sliced in half, toasted if desired)
• 4 ounces Cream Cheese (softened, spreadable)
• 2 tablespoons Capers (rinsed, drained)

Instructions

1. Prepare Cure Mixture

   In a mixing bowl combine equal parts granulated sugar and kosher salt (½ cup each) and stir until evenly mixed.

   Time: PT5M

2. Season Bottom of Dish

   Spread half of the cure mixture (about ½ cup) evenly on the bottom of a 2‑inch‑deep glass dish to create a bed for the salmon.

   Time: PT5M

3. Add Aromatics to Bottom Layer

   Sprinkle a few whole black peppercorns and half a tablespoon of fennel seed over the cure bed.

   Time: PT2M

4. Place Salmon and Apply Cure

   Pat the salmon dry, then lay it skin‑side down on the cure bed. Press it gently, then cover the flesh side with the remaining cure mixture, ensuring every surface is coated.

   Time: PT5M

5. Season Top of Salmon

   Sprinkle the remaining peppercorns and fennel seed over the top, then drizzle ¼ cup gin over the fish without disturbing the cure layer. Finish with a tablespoon of roughly chopped fresh dill.

   Time: PT5M

6. Wrap and Weight

   Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap, then place a weight (e.g., the gin bottle) on top to press the fish. Transfer the whole assembly to the refrigerator.

   Time: PT2M

7. Cure the Salmon

   Let the salmon cure in the fridge for at least 2 days, preferably 5 days. Every 24 hours, remove the weight and wrap, flip the fish (skin side ↔ flesh side), then re‑wrap and re‑weight.

   Time: PT120H

8. Finish and Slice

   After curing, remove the fish, brush off excess cure, and pat dry. Using a sharp knife, slice the gravlox very thinly (about 1‑2 mm) without cutting through the skin.

   Time: PT10M

9. Assemble Bagel Breakfast

   Spread softened cream cheese on each toasted everything bagel half, layer with thin gravlox slices, and garnish with capers. Serve immediately.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

580

Protein

30 g

Carbohydrates

45 g

Fat

25 g

Fiber

2 g